Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has taken over as chairperson of the East African Community (EAC).

He succeeded Kenya’s President William Ruto at the 25th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State in Arusha, Tanzania, on March 7, 2026. The handover followed the EAC’s rotation system, where the chairmanship changes every year among member states.

President Ruto completed his one-year term, which began on November 30, 2024. President Ruto, speaking at the handover, said the transition follows the community’s structured leadership rotation system.

“Let me begin by thanking you for entrusting me with the privilege of presiding over the affairs of our beloved community and serving as your chairperson since 30th November 2024. I am grateful to Your Excellencies for the diligent and gracious support extended to me during my tenure,” he said.

He added: “Article 12(2) of the treaty provides that the office of the chairperson in rotation for a year. During the closed session of the summit, the heads of state have decided that the Republic of Uganda assumes the chair and the Republic of Rwanda will be the rapporteur.”

Museveni takes EAC helm

President Museveni thanked President Ruto for his leadership over the past year. Museveni also expressed thanks to Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan for the warm welcome in Arusha.

The EAC now includes eight partner states: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The bloc aims for a common market, eventual monetary union, and political federation.

It started in 1967, collapsed in 1977, and revived in 2000. It expanded with Rwanda and Burundi in 2007, South Sudan in 2016, DRC in 2022, and Somalia in 2023.

Museveni assumes the role as the region pushes for faster economic integration, better cross-border trade, and solutions to security issues. His tenure will likely focus on the EAC Common Market, infrastructure like transport corridors and energy projects, and reducing trade barriers. Security concerns, especially in eastern DRC, affect several member states, including Rwanda.

The summit also appointed Tanzanian Stephen Patrick Mbundi as the new EAC Secretary-General for the 2026–2031 term. He succeeds Kenyan Veronica Mueni Nduva, who took office in April 2024 after Peter Mathuki.

Mbundi previously served as Permanent Secretary for East Africa in Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he handled regional integration and diplomacy. The change comes at a time when the EAC faces challenges like financial pressures and the need to maintain momentum on integration goals.

𝟐𝟓𝐓𝐇 𝐄𝐀𝐂 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓

📌 The President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. @KagutaMuseveni , takes over the Chairmanship of the EAC from the President of the Republic of Kenya , H.E. @WilliamsRuto

The Republic of Rwanda will serve as the… pic.twitter.com/1D1ei7Q0VG

— East African Community (@jumuiya) March 7, 2026